It looks like a Steam Machine but runs Windows

Valve didn't do its hardware partners any favors by delaying the availability of its in-house developed Steam Controller, which by extension means everyone else has to push back the launch of their respective Steam Machine systems until next year. Bummer, right? Well, yes, but Alienware isn't letting the delay mess up its mojo. Instead, Alienware took its Steam Machine design and ran with a configuration that runs Windows, plus a custom 10-foot UI during boot for accessing music and movies. We took a closer look at the Alienware Alpha Console at E3.

The custom UI will also allow gamers to get directly into Steam Big Picture mode, a special mode in Steam that's intended for big screen HDTVs. So even though the Alpha Console is running Windows 8.1, Alienware's goal is to get gamers into Steam Big Picture mode and gaming as quickly as possible.

As we previously reported, the Alienware Alpha Console will ship with an Xbox 360 controller. The system will start at $549 and come with an Intel Core i3 processor, 4GB of RAM, 500GB hard drive, and a custom built Nvidia "Maxwell" graphics solution. For gamers with a bigger budget, they can upgrade parts for a higher end configuration.

Check out the video below for more information, including whether or not Alienware might make the Xbox 360 controller an optional add-on rather than a standard accessory:

Comments

I suppose for that price range that product is a great concept. I never had any issue with using a desktop computer and siting at a desk. I wonder why they are going with 360 controller as well. The ONE controller sounds like a nice improvement.

Here is simple math. I have 246 games total in my steam library. When I turn on Big Picture Mode I found that I have 86 games controller supported , only 86 from 246 . From those 86 games only 34 games that are fully controller supported which means that games that are not fully supported at some point would require keyboard or mouse or both to be used . I am not talking about old games here is an example of games that are not fully controller supported and it was actually surprise for me : FarCry3, DeusEx:Human Revolution, Half-Life2 and both episodes, OverLord, Portal, Splinter Cell Conviction, Wolfenstein: The New Order and so on. Which means you cannot put this console in living room with just game pad .

Very simple . What experience can you get from this particular PC Gaming Console ? Remember gamepad only . Not in-home streaming because you would have to have more powerfull PC 24/7 on , just this PC. The answer is not a good one . I wonder if Alienware even tested it , real life , you know, put in some room and asked people to use , just like at home . What experience they will have ?